THE GLOBE. THURSDAY, JULY 22, 1880

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2000, 22 July 1880, Page 2

THE GLOBE. THURSDAY, JULY 22, 1880

The report of Major-General Davidson on the Volunteer force of the South Island appears to ho a document that will well repay study, and, when forwarded from Wellington, the Volunteer authorities at our various centres of population will do well to take its recommendations into serious consideration. Although the text of the report has not yet heen received, we purpose to examine what has hoon said on various points that affect the force, for the General’s remarks appear altogether to carry out what has long heen our opinion with regard to the working of the system, at least in Christchurch. Some months ago wo drew attention to the state of Volunteer matters in this district, and what was written then appears to he altogether borne out by the report under consideration. And as one of tho weak points in the present system consists in tho appointment of officers who are not

competent, let us see what General Davidson says on this subject. “ The standard for admission for a first commission and a captaincy is too low, and yet a very large proportion of the officers are not even up to that standard.”. The said standard merely includes company drill, which is obviously not sufficient to include all that is wanted. In point of fact, most ridiculous cases occur of gentlemen being examined and receiving commissions. Let us give a single instance. There existed in our midst a certain captain who was notorious for his total want of the simplest rudiments of even company drill. To him applied a candidate eager to become a lieutenant; the latter was examined in due form, and although altogether incompetent, passed the test with flying colours. The feelings of the company when manoeuvred by this sucking warrior may be more easily imagined than described. A captain, according to the report, should at least havo some knowledge of battalion movements, a fair acquaintance with guard, picket and outpost duty, and a thorough knowledge of skirmishing. But guard, picket and outpost duty are never oven attempted hero. As pointed out in our previous article, the programme as at present carried out is much as follows; —The Volunteers are summoned by companies to the drill shod, which they enter mysteriously by dark, like conspirators in a melodrama. Certain useless formula are gone through, and the warrior retires, having learnt nothing whatsoever, not even having been invigorated by hard exercise in the open air. And this, in the face of the fact that the bulk of our Volunteers are well capable of getting away from their businesses long before the day closes. As for our volunteers gaining any knowledge of skirmishing, this, under the present system, is totally out of the question, yet it is evident that, should the force be called into active service, a thorough knowledge of skirmishing would be of vital importance to them. Even, with regard to the battalion movements that are now undertaken, they are altogether on the wrong principle, being not in sufficiently extended order. With regard to the General’s recommendation that once a year, at least, the corps should move out into camp for a week, the suggestion is much to the point. But, at the same time, we would call to the remembrance of our readers what has frequently occurred heretofore. There havo been camps formed at intervals here, but the programme on such occasions has been almost entirely confined to prize firing. Seeing that this can be done at almost any time of the year, it seems singular that the only occasion on which the practical duties of a soldier could be properly learnt should be frittered away in firing at a target. Not that we underreekon the value of straight shooting, but it is an accomplishment that may be learnt at other times than in camp. The report then proceeds to comment on the fact that men who know their drill, and those who partially tnpw it, and those who hardly know anything of it, are all mixed up together. This is the sad truth in Christchurch at all events. Instead of men going into squad and learning the rudiments thoroughly, they are all jumbled into the company, and naturally the consequence tends to anything but their proper training or the proper efficiency of the company at large. In point of fact it may fairly be said that, as an institution, the awkward squad has no existence here at all. The tyro blossoms, or is supposed to blossom, into the well educated soldier with a rapidity of growth startling and incomprehensible to all except to the authorities that be. And, in connection with this jumbling up of efficient and inefficient men, it may be remarked that cadets should not be drilled with ordinary volunteers, as is done here. It leads to great confusion, a fact well recognised in England, where such a thing is never allowed. To give an instance of the folly of such a course. The regulation pace of a soldier is thirty-three inches. Cadets evidently cannot make such a long stride. Consequently, when marching, the effect of the mixed body is any but striking. In flank movements in particular much confusion is occasioned in this way. And then the boys get before the men, and the latter are naturally irritated in consequence. Cadets are very well in their own place, but, after all, they are but boys, aud there is no reason jwhy they should be drilled with the men. In England the cadets have their own battalion movements, aud are never drilled with the ordinary volunteers.

To a close observer of the manner in which volunteers affairs are conducted amongst ns, the outcome of General Davidson’s report will bo no surprise. As ho remarks, finer material for a Volunteer Force, whether as regards physique or intelligence, could not be mot with than the men of the force. But the finest material inefficiently officered is of not much value in actual warfare. The general principle of the system here is completely unsound. Through fhe fault of their officers the men know absolutely nothing of guard, picket and outpost duties, and are ignorant in the vital point of skirmishing. Even in minor details things are not well carried out. Company rules are not strictly adhered to, indeed are hardly adhered to at all Regulations to secure bettor attendance, &c., are made and yet the holiday soldier rules the roast to the detriment of all true discipline. Incompetent captains and others are principally notable hy their absence on ordinary occasions. On field days, or an inspection hy superior officers, they put iu an appearance in full martial attire, and endeavor, to the best of their ability, to throw their several companies into inextricable confusion. It may bo that our Volunteers may bo required some day for active service. Suppose on such an occasion that a portion of them wore commanded by the officer, who General Davidson declares, “ could do nothing.” What would be the effect ? Blood would be uselessly shod, aud the dash and bravery [of the men utterly thrown away. It would bo no child’s play : the loss of the lives of those men would lie at the door of a system that, both in principal and detail, is, here at all events, rotten to the core.